Making stuff w/ rail spikes!

[oldmanLee]

NOW THATS A KNIFE!Finn,when you drop down this way,let me show you a couple of tricks involving Kasenit,that puppy needs a differential temper!

 

[finn]

Wow, that looks great! How well does it cut?

It cuts okay, it'd cut better with a more polished blade, given that its spine is half as thick as a railspike. I'm not really planning on polishing the blade, it's a railspike knife, meant to be rough and used roughly. I also have to heat treat it, and that'll allow me to have a keener edge. I was planning on just doing the simple heat and quench, but now that OldmanLee has turned my attention to Kasenit, I may have to do that. Didn't know that existed!

 

[L.C.]

really? ancient hobo secret. put your spike on the rails of a slow moving train,NOT THE UNIT!!!!(it will kick the spike out like a bullet!!!) i do not recomend trying this.the spike falls off after 1-16 wheels and needs to be placed on the track under the wheels rear of the unit. the steel is rolled cold so its not tempered. it will get hot,but not enough to temper the steel. any questions about the science or the term rolled cold,look it up.make sure the point is facing oppissite the trains direction. the head makes a fine blunt pummel. after 1-? days refining your technique ,you can find your desired thickness.i would make a video, but i"m not electronic use friendly. after you get all this down pat then start your grinding.

 

[finn]

I won't be doing the flattening method, because I've been cutting the railspikes in half in order to make two knives out of a single railspike... I guess I could further flatten them out, but I don't really find myself by slow moving trains so much nowadays, and I like keeping the knives within legal length, so they get confiscated less.

 

[Wolfeyes]

Another idear for rail spikes, great way to kill time. Rail spike dice! Grab a hacksaw, cut the spikes into squares, scratch numbers in with ballast or make pips with a dremel if you got one.

 

[bryanpaul]

was just lookin at www.etsy.com and there are some really amazing rail spike knives and other stuff...but yeah for 30-80+ bux(would spend that on a leatherman or gerber knife) folks have some awesome hand forged knives .....type in "railroad spike" in the search box

 

[dprogram]

I always wondered if you could tape a spike to the tracks and wait until a train smashes it...

 

[baconrind]

I have a railroad spike hammer. But you need a welder for that.

 

[Deleted member 125]

there was a realy great railspike bottle opener on flikr somewhere but i cant seem to find it anymore...

 

[12xPUKEx12]

I have a railroad spike hammer. But you need a welder for that.

I remember seein that and wondering what it was...i thought it was just like a boxcar wedge you made

 

[Kim Chee]

I'd only throw stuff from 50mph train if I were totally certain that I wouldn't hit any innocent bystanders, throwing a spike like that is like shooting a gun. I'd have to be in the desert or next to a parking lot or something.

That's a great idea, I've never seen anybody in the desert or next to a parking lot. Ever!

 

[finn]

That's a great idea, I've never seen anybody in the desert or next to a parking lot. Ever!

Haha, good point, I wouldn't do that now though, and I wrote that post a while ago.

 

[bryanpaul]

well i dont get nearly as many trainpunxpoints as Finn up there cuz i bought this...but heres my railroad spike knife........got it off a blacksmith on www.etsy.com ..... http://www.etsy.com/shop/NorthernCrescentIron ... dude actually used to ride trains so it's 100% Tramp Certified ..... for a few extra bux he stamped me and my K/C/M/D Maryland Tardhead crew's tag/moniker thing on the butt(spike head).... but yeah

@Slurricane......how many trainpunxpoints ya think this is worth...i'm thinkin +500 is reasonable

 

[Teko]

Ive seen some awesome railspike knives.

pictures?

 

[Teko]

well i dont get nearly as many trainpunxpoints as Finn up there cuz i bought this...but heres my railroad spike knife........got it off a blacksmith on www.etsy.com ..... http://www.etsy.com/shop/NorthernCrescentIron ... dude actually used ride trains so it's 100% Tramp Certified ..... for a few extra bux he stamped me and my K/C/M/D Maryland Tardhead crew's tag/moniker thing on the butt(spike head).... but yeah

@Slurricane......how many trainpunxpoints ya think this is worth...i'm thinkin +500 is reasonable

 

[Teko]

that is fucking sweet. did you make that or did someone else for you?

 

[Doc Road]

Okay, I figured out how to get a better picture from my ganky method of xerox photography. This knife just needs heat treatment and then it's done. I'm going to keep its rough appearance, since it is a rail spike knife. It's still a pretty thick blade, but the steel is too soft to be thin. I'll get to the other half sometime later. Those guys are pretty nice to hold.

You can temper the blade with rail coal. I think you could find a way to make a makeshift foarge out of bricks and a grill of some sort. Then an acordian style blower of duct tape and cardboard, just funnle the air under the coal, and it should get hot enough to harder the steel. Im ganna try too twist some spiks and machine two bolts on, for a real gnarly looking Kubaton's. I think the Oaklanders will buy them like hot hipster hats.

 

[Doc Road]

Okay, I figured out how to get a better picture from my ganky method of xerox photography. This knife just needs heat treatment and then it's done. I'm going to keep its rough appearance, since it is a rail spike knife. It's still a pretty thick blade, but the steel is too soft to be thin. I'll get to the other half sometime later. Those guys are pretty nice to hold.

Can I get some help, can't seam to find out how to view the pics?

 

[finn]

Well, I got some case hardening compound, so I can use that when I find myself with enough time and heating sources. Quenching can only go so far in mild steels. I think the pictures got deleted in the move to the new forum, I'll look around to see if I still have the pics around somewhere.